Nigeria U-17 eliminated from WAFU-B Championship after Cote d’Ivoire draw

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have been knocked out of the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Championship after drawing 1–1 with Cote d’Ivoire in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The result ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals and qualifying for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. That tournament also serves as the qualification route for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Eboboritse Uwejamomere’s team needed to win after beginning their campaign with a 2–1 defeat by Niger Republic. Despite a late equaliser, Nigeria could not find the goal required to keep their tournament alive.

The Golden Eaglets began brightly and applied early pressure to the Ivorian defence. Godswill Usoro came close to an opening goal in the ninth minute, but his effort went narrowly wide.

Cote d’Ivoire gradually found their rhythm and threatened on the counter-attack. Alex Fousseni put them ahead in the 16th minute, increasing the pressure on the Nigerian side.

Nigeria attempted to respond before the interval, but they lacked the composure needed to turn their chances into goals. Mubarak Fasiu was also unable to convert a promising opportunity to level the match before half-time.

With anything less than victory set to end their qualification hopes, Nigeria raised the tempo after the break. The Eaglets pushed forward in search of an equaliser, while Cote d’Ivoire stayed organised and worked to preserve their advantage.

Nigeria’s persistence finally produced a breakthrough in the closing stages. Substitute Abiodun John scored in the 88th minute, approximately two minutes before the end of normal time, to give the Golden Eaglets hope of completing a comeback.

However, they were unable to score again before the final whistle. The 1–1 draw confirmed Nigeria’s elimination at the group stage.

The early exit is a setback for one of the most successful teams in FIFA U-17 World Cup history. Nigeria have won the U-17 World Cup five times, but will now miss both the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and the accompanying opportunity to qualify for the World Cup.

The Golden Eaglets had hoped to return to the continental tournament after missing the previous two editions. Their opening defeat by Niger Republic and failure to beat Cote d’Ivoire ultimately proved decisive.

The outcome is likely to prompt further examination of Nigeria’s youth football development, preparation and ability to convert their longstanding pedigree into regional success. The team now faces another rebuilding period as it attempts to restore its reputation in African and world youth football.

2026 WAFU-B U-17 Championship

Nigeria U-17 1–1 Cote d’Ivoire U-17
Nigeria scorer: Abiodun John 88′
Cote d’Ivoire scorer: Alex Fousseni 16′
Venue: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Nigeria head coach: Eboboritse Uwejamomere